Roebling Complex ramps up

Mercer Business, Apr 01, 1996 by Delany, Don

It has been talked about and planned for 10 years. Naysayers said it would never come off the drawing board. But, after many starts and stops and setbacks, the Roebling Complex redevelopment project in Trenton is at last becoming a reality.

In late February, Zoot Suit, a promotion company specializing in the child-oriented product industry, became the first occupant of the sprawling complex on the fringe of the city's Chambersburg section.

Zoot Suit' s 20-member staff set up shop in Building #105, the original engine room of the John A. Roebling's Sons Company, which at one time was one of the world's largest producers of wire and wire rope products.

In mid-May, grand opening ceremonies are scheduled for two other major components of the complex -- a 110,000-square-foot neighborhood shopping center and a building which will house the New Jersey Mortage and Finance Agency.

The anchor tenant of the shopping center -- located in what is known as Block 1, between Elmer, Clinton and Dye Streets --will be a 53,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art supermarket. The center will also include a Thrift Drug store, a Mandees womens apparel shop, a Radio Shack and other retail outlets.

Construction is also under way within the complex on an Invention Factory science center, which is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city.

And there are encouraging signs that in the not too distant future, work will begin on a performing arts center and housing units including a senior citizens bloc. Also envisioned as part of the complex eventually are an arena and hotel-conference center, a YMCA, a day care center and other facilities.

The supermarket/shopping center and the Housing and Finance Agency headquarters are part of a section known as Roebling Market, which is being assembled by the T.R.I. Berman Development Company.

Paulette Russell, Berman leasing director, said the original lease for the supermarket was with the Mayfair Foodtown chain, which operates some 30 markets throughout the state. Since then Mayfair has been acquired by a holding company, and the Foodtown stores have undergone a name change to Edwards markets. The Roebling store will be the first to open under the Edwards name.

The state will own as well as occupy the Mortgage and Finance Agency building, which totals some 66,000 square feet of space. Some 250 people will work in the building, which is located behind the Mercer County administration building off South Broad Street, attached to the retail portion of the shopping center. Some 450 parking spaces will serve the supermarket and the stores.

Entrance to the block will be at 635 South Clinton Avenue, between the seniors' housing and the Invention Factory.

The seniors' housing project will consist of 70 units and is being dedicated to the late George Pellettieri, one of Trenton's most prominent attorneys. Work could begin on the homes within the next six months, according to those spearheading the project.

While no target date has been set for construction of the performing arts center, pending completion of financing, detailed plans are going forward for the project. The center will actually consist of two theaters. One will be a new 8,000-square-foot theater, seating 400 people. This will be an all-purpose facility which can be used by music, theater, opera, dance and other performing groups. The other, also 8,000 square feet in size, will be located in an reconverted existing building, and will include rehearsal and classroom spaces and what is known as a black box stage which can be used for presentations for about a hundred persons.

The performing arts complex will be located near the intersection of South Clinton Avenue and Hudson Street.

The Roebling Complex comprises some 30 former Roebling Company buildings, in a five-block, 45-acre area bounded by South Clinton Avenue, South Broad Street, Hamilton Avenue and Dye Street.

Zoot Suit, headed by 29-year-old Alan Rambam as president, creates elaborate displays to promote the products of such clients as Crayola, KNEX and Federated Department Stores. One of its first creations in Trenton was a 10-feet-wide, seven-feet high exhibit for Crayola which was to tour children's museums in a 16-city tour. The building is located off Elmer Street.

The company's location in the Roebling Complex was made possible through a loan from the Trenton Business Assistance Corporation. The firm's staff completely remodeled the 8,000-square foot space which includes two-story arched windows.

The Invention Factory concept was created by the Trenton Roebling Community Development Corporation, which was established in 1985 to plan and promote the development of the complex. The mission of the science and technology center is to provide stimulating learning opportunities and experiences for all audiences in science, technology and local history by forging links between the public and the academic, corporate sectors through interactive exhibits, programs and telecommunication.